The Battle of the Somme was the first large offensive campaign run by the "new" British Empire forces in WW1. The prior battles in 1914 and 1915 had resulted in the destruction of the original British Expeditionary Force - this force, made up of long-serving, highly experienced soldiers with years of service in most of the various British Empire colonial wars, was generally recognized as the best quality fighting force when WW1 started.
By 1916, however, the original BEF had been wiped out. Casualties from the 1914-15 battles had resulted in the destruction of the original 6 BEF divisions. The New British Army was composed of the Territorial Army (mostly reservists and Home Guard folks from pre-war days), plus the volunteer recruits from Lord Kirshner's New Army. Unfortunately, this rapid expansion of forces meant that the British Army was filled with men with no experience, with similar leadership.
The Somme offensive was seen as the British chance to make a significant breakthough, and also to relieve pressure on the French, who were being bled at Verdun. As such, the offensive had both political and military overtones.
The battle itself is noteworthy for several reasons:
The lasting impact of the Somme is psychological - the Somme really marks the beginning of the great exsanguinary offensive campaigns on the Western Front during WW1. Even more than Verdun (which has the heroic overtones of a valiant defense) or Ypres, the Somme has come to represent the fruitless waste of life in frontal assaults - that is, it stands as the poster child of the horrors of trench warfare, where hundreds of thousands of lives were expended to no military gain.
The Somme was a huge shock to the British people, who were now really confronted with the massive butcher's bill the War was requiring. And, it seriously undermined the confidence in leadership, both by ordinary soldiers and the public.
From a strategic military standpoint, the Somme was a indecisive. The British and French forces involved paid dearly for tiny gains, and the British saw a significant portion of their best recruits slaughtered, though very valuable tactical lessons were learned, which later significantly improved the effectiveness of the British Army. While the German casualties were much lower, they lost a significant number of experienced soldiers, and the Germans were unable to replace solders as easily as either the French or British (whose combined population was over 1.5x that of Germany, which also was fighting the Russians). German strategic views were also changed, with the British Army now being taken seriously as an opponent, rather than just a 2nd-tier player.
The Somme was thought to be the biggest loss of life in one battle for the British in History. it was called theyre big push but nothing really came out of it. 10,000 british servicemen lost theyre lives the first day. the French attacked to. i don't know what else i can add to that because i didnt really read much about it i am afriad.
The Battle of the Somme occurred on both sides of the Somme River in France. It is also known as the Somme Offensive.
Butcher of the Somme
The Battle of Somme started on the 1st of July 1916 and Ended on the 13th of November 1916. From, Saiyed Mohammed Faizan.
the battle of Somme lasted for 4months and 18days.
battle of Somme and the battle of Ypres
The Battle of the Somme began in France near the Somme River.
It was not. For either side.
The Battle of the Somme occurred on both sides of the Somme River in France. It is also known as the Somme Offensive.
french stared the battle of Somme.
The Battle of the Somme (sometimes known as the Somme Offensive) was one of the bloodiest military battles in history.
The Battle of the somme was a horrible thing but for a good reason
Zero Hour for the Battle of the Somme (Somme Offensive) was 7:30 a.m. on July 1st, 1916.
The Battle of the Somme ended due to bad weather conditions.
No. The Battle of the Somme was in 1916. The US entered the war in 1917.
1st July, 1916
Butcher of the Somme
In France, along the western front at a place called Somme. Near the French river Somme.